This meeting is called to order in accordance with the open public meetings law in accordance with chapter 231 of the public laws of 1975. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. This meeting of August August 18th, 2025 was published in the Courier News and Star
ledger and placed on the burrow's website in Bolton Porter Burough Hall. A copy of this notice is available to the public and a copy of the statement shall be included in the minutes of this meeting. Mayor Brian Gallagher is excused this evening. Council members Terresa Bonner here. Andrew Ki here,
Glen here. Randy Pitts is excused this evening. Gina Stravik here. And Roger Ver here. Please stand for the salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes of August 4th? So moved. Second. Theresa Bonner,
abstain. Andrew Ki. Yes. Glenzene. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger F. Yes. Uh we have no departmental reports or notices. So we're going on to committee reports. We'll start with Teresa. Thank you. Uh the Somerville Public
Library is sadly temporarily closed um to the public due to mold remediation project. Um book drops are still open for returns. You can access all library services through the other uh Somerset County Library System locations. The
closest branches are Bridgewater and Manville. Uh participants in the summer reading challenge can pick up their prizes from any of the other Somerset County Library locations. That's it. Thank you, Andrew. Um the historic advisory committee is
not really meeting during the summer, but uh we did give a um talk about our uh suggestions for the elements of the master plan and the uh portico work and the work at the burough hall continues uh through the summer and I'll have more to update when we do meet. Thank you, Gina.
The Somerville rescue squad is accepting applications for volunteers both as uh riders, drivers, and uh those interested in becoming EMTs. Uh the uh board of health did not meet this month. Thank you, Glenn. Thank you, Roger. Uh environmental commission was busy as
always. We met last week. Uh they would like to thank the burrow for supporting the skip the stuff resolution. Uh national night out was a success. They distributed over a hundred different bags with uh energy saving information for PACG, eco uh friendly nightlights,
uh seeds to plant, and also environmentally friendly mosquito dunks to help control mosquitoes. Uh they also conducted a survey during that event and it showed that the town uh favored green spaces and tree planting as the biggest issues of concern. Uh additionally, the
green team is continuing work with the community garden. Uh they're hoping to run a workshop in September. Check out all of the environmental commission social media to get more details when that is upcoming. Uh the garden is also planning on donating extra veggies to the ship organization, which was
exciting to hear. And then the Petersburg restoration project. If you've been walking along the greenway, you may have already seen some of it starting there in the fleet uh the van fleet section of the greenway and that will be ongoing and hopefully there will be some signage explaining what will be happening. So the public as they walk
through will see uh what's going on there. Uh the next environmental commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, September the 9th at 7 pm right here at the Civic Center. So that's all I have. Thank you. Thank you. Councilman Pittz wanted me to pass along that uh best US moving
recognized Somerville as one of their top 10 familyfriendly towns in the state of New Jersey. Uh we came in at number six uh for an active community with terrific familyfriendly features. So if you have an opportunity, it's us moving
uh best usmoving I think.com and you can check out the write up. Uh with that we'll open up the meeting to the public. Um, all comments, please make them to me and uh we'll get get everyone up here. Motion to open the public. So moved. Second.
Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Kiy. Yes. Glen, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. Roger F. Yes. Meeting is now open to the public. Hi. Do I say my address? Yes, state your name. Name address. Um, my name is Lauren Watson and I live
at 57 Fairview Avenue. So, excuse me. I'm just going to read something off my phone. Um, so, hi, my name is Lauren and I serve on the board of trustees for the Somerville Public Library. Um, I want to talk tonight about a treasure in our
town that's in danger of being being treated more like an afterthought, our library. Um, first, the library has been closed until further notice for mold remediation. My question is simple. I'm just curious if anything has been done
yet. Um, or is it just kind of in limbo? Um, or are we going to let the mold apply for a library card and settle in as a long-term resident? But I worry that this project isn't being prioritized, and the longer we delay,
the more our community loses access to an essential resource. Um, second, even before the closure, um, I've been hearing really depressing reports at the library board meetings about other things going on with the
library, especially regards to the building's condition. Um, the carpet looks like it survived the 1970s and never recovered. The entrance ramp is degrading. Ceiling tiles are crumbling and in poor shape and even basic
cleaning has not been consistent. Um to give one low point, human feces was left near the entrance of the library and even though it was reported promptly, it took over 24 hours for it to be removed and all the entering patrons saw that
for a whole day. Uh let me be blunt, that's embarrassing. Um, and it seems like the town hall side of the building is in noticeably better condition. It gives the impression that the library is the neglected sibling in the family, and it's hard not to wonder what that says
to residents about our town's priorities. Third, I want to recognize our branch manager. She has done an outstanding job engaging the community and modernizing what the library has to offer. She's running innovative programs, welcoming people of all ages, and making the most
out of what she has. But unfortunately, what she has is a crumbling building, limited space, and areas that aren't even accessible to residents with disabilities. She's basically trying to host a Broadway show in a basement with a leaky ceiling. So, tonight
I just I understand that a library doesn't generate profit the way some projects might, but libraries don't exist to make money. They exist to make communities stronger, smarter, and more connected. The library is where children learn to read, job seekers find opportunities, seniors find companionship, and residents of all
backgrounds feel welcome. And that's a return on an investment that can't be measured in dollars. So tonight, I urge you, let's treat our library like the essential community space it is. We need answers on the mold remediation. We need attention to basic maintenance and
cleanliness. And we need a long-term vision for either a serious renovation or a new location worthy of Somerville. Because here's the truth. The library directly reflects on you, the council. When residents walk into a building with crumbling ceiling tiles, outdated
carpet, and accessibility issues, they don't just think the library is falling apart. They think the town doesn't care enough to fix it. And when children or seniors lose their safe, welcoming space because of mold or neglect, that's not just a building problem. It's a leadership problem. Somerville deserves
better. Our residents deserve better. And quite frankly, our library staff deserves better. I hope you'll decide tonight to make this a priority because if the library continues to crumble, the responsibility will rest squarely on the shoulders of those who had the power to do something about it. Thank you.
Thank you. Any other comments from the public? Hello, Michael Blair, 154 West Cliff. Um, I guess I said I wanted to start this out differently when I sent that email. You guys are doing a great job. I mean, look, come on, give me a smile.
Uh, but you know, except for on this matter. Um, I reached out initially in 2023 about the mess down in uh Petersburg Park. I walked out almost every day and the garbage situation is awful. Um I think it was after maybe maybe it was
after Ida the um the little fences they had around with the vinyl uh vinyl uh fences that were around them they blew they washed away and whatever. So now we have all these dumpsters that always kind of left the skew but there's garbage over. So this morning I I you know knowing I'm coming down tonight. I
just happened to turn off of uh Mountain and I counted the amount of garbage. 20 pieces of garbage. Just immediately right there I stopped counting it. It's you know it's ridiculous. Uh Edgemont property is doing pretty well for themselves. You know there should be no reason they can't uh cover that up. And
you know I speak from experience. I've been a landlord for 15 years. Tenants need to be managed period. And uh there there's no reason for that garbage. Um, and there's no reason they can't spend a few extra dollars to just cover that up, put those, you know, put the uh replace
the fencing that was around those and possibly put some uh some fencing also to prevent parking on the grass. Um, that's it. All right. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Any other public comments?
Seeing no more, I'll close public. Motion to close public session. Motion want to make a public comment about the library. I really want your name and and your address. Oh, sure. My name is Marvy Reza Cruz. I'm from Seven Spear Street.
Thank you. Okay. So, I have been in this town for over 20 years, almost all of my life. And I just when I heard about what happened with the building and the mold that has been there and I went to another library council meeting too and for some reason it seems like it's
always being passed around from burrow to library council to this this and this and I don't really get a straight answer about hm why isn't our library being repaired that it needs to and now finally it came to the point of um where now it's shut down and this was one of
my biggest fears considering the fact that uh we have There's a big diversity when it comes to Somerville, especially for the people in need of a library. And this is what I came to the library council as well too, like with my concerns about. And now we're finally at a point of now it's
just shut down. And I don't know if this is going to turn out to be like Bound Brookke where now they don't even have a library. And I just wanted to kind of step up to kind of say um where do we go from here in terms of when we need a library?
because we are the county seat and we need these services and now people who do need them in Somerville, especially because we have a wide range of people who are very lucky and privileged to, you know, be of a better economic standing and then we also have the other
end that people will also just kind of well does Somerville really need it? And those are the people that require it most. So, thank you. Thank you. Any other public comment?
Motion to close public. So moved. Second. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Hold on. Is that another Should we re do we need to reopen?
No. We didn't finish any. Go ahead. Hello. My name is Come a little closer to the microphone. There you go. My name is Felizola. I live on seven Spear Street. Um, I guess I'm just
trying to be here to be supportive for the Somerville Library. Uh, I'm not originally from New Jersey. I moved here from Mississippi. And one of the major things that helped me kind of uh get established in this new with a very
different I guess just vibe in general of where I used to live was the summer library. So, it's uh very special in my heart. Um, and I'm very nervous to try to explain
just how important it is and how thankfully easily accessible it is because I know there's others libraries. Um, but I don't have a car and it took me a while to save money to get a scooter. Um, and that's how I was able
to go to like the Bridgewater Library, but the main one I still went want to go to and I hope more love and attention put to it is the Somerville Library. Um because that is my first uh I guess
place that I kind of can say I very much love and felt quite at home when I first started to uh get used to living in Somerville other than my home home with my uh friend. Uh I guess that's the main thing I would
say and I do apologize how nervous I am. That's okay. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Anybody else? Um, and we appreciate everyone always as
always coming up to speak. Uh, motion motion to close public session. So moved. Second rather. Sorry. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Ki. Yes. Lenton. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. And Roger F. Yes. Public comment section is over. Um
certainly, you know, the the library here in Somerville is is an important piece of Somerville. I know that my children uh went there quite a lot when they were growing up and getting their books and there's some there's great programs that go on there as uh
Councilwoman Bonner has has discussed multiple times. U so you know, obviously it's it's a piece it's a piece of Somerville that we we don't want to lose, but I know that we just did a study, so if you could Yeah. So, so I mean the status of the library right now
is is it was obviously closed as a precaution. Um we we have had vendors in there the last two days um on Friday and and Monday to review the work. Um it's not a uh it's not a lot of work.
The problem there was another regulatory agency PIO that was notified of the issue. POSA obviously being a government entity has a lot of regulatory timelines which which um lead to a longer period
of time. So So the I did meet with the director of the library uh the county library twice. Um and I advised them our goal is to to have someone remediate the immediate portions obviously to
hopefully be open by Labor Day. Um the remediation would certainly take uh that time but but the regulatory timelines by peers creates some issues. So which means that it has to be tested and retested prior to authorization. So the
problem is and there's a waiting period for that to occur. So, um, while the remediation is is, you know, something that that will be handled pretty swiftly, it's the the regulatory timelines that would pose an issue as far as the the work there. Um, you the,
you know, the the cleaning company that cleaned Burough Hall um cleans the library building. Now, keep in mind, the burough owns the library building, so that's an asset that we obviously maintain structurally as well. Um, you guys capitalize. you have a roof being
put on all that jazz. Um so that that's you know the funds that that are provided every year for that. The um you know as far as um you know with the custodial cleaning the custodial work has not been good. You're you guys are fully aware of that. We've just ch we've
changed companies twice. We're going to access which you you guys with the the the uh council hired uh two meetings ago. they're going through that process of hiring the personnel to be in there. Um, so that that that's the use of it. Um, I mean that's the daily maintenance
of it. Um, so as far as as far as the mold, I mean I wish I can give you a better report saying it's going to be at this date. I mean as far as the remediation that that's kind of, you know, that's in the short order that's going to be done. The So have we contracted for the remediation?
We have not. So we you don't need you will not need to vote on that. That's under an emergency contract. So, so it doesn't have to appear in front of the governing body. So, it's uh we've had two vendors in there already look looking at it. Um so, we're getting estimates. We'll move on with contracting someone.
I mean, some will have a P purchase order this week. They'll be under contract to do it this week. There's no delay in the process. It's just the the the delay is really going to be the the testing at the end because there's air quality testing you had to do. It's not
as you know if if it wasn't you know if there wasn't another regulatory company involved you clean it you you kind of get to the next step. So the testing you got to wait for a period of time. Um so that that that'll tie us up a little longer than we anticipated.
Other than that, I mean the as far as I know, we did I did offer this space, this particular space. So the library programming, but Jed and I spoke, but but it it's problematic operationally to do that. Um, but we've offered other
spaces that they can operate, but it just, you know, in that short time period, it just wouldn't doesn't make logistical sense or operational sense to do that. Can we uh as we move through this process, can we make sure that we update the uh the community so that
they're aware of just so we can kind of keep rolling out timelines? Sure. As soon as they're under contract, I we could post that as well and timelines. Um Pio is doing a full thorough um review of of all all
municipal buildings right now. So they the the the library it's going to be a larger scale review than would normally that we would normally get every five years but they they you know we have to produce documents and so forth from a
couple years ago. So um you know we we'll keep the website updated but I think unfortunately just be a little lengthier than we originally anticipated. Understood. um and uh obviously having feal matter on the ramp for 20.
So that that was a criminal matter. The my understanding is there's an effort to uh prosecute in that case. Um I don't know if that'll be pursued or the courts would actually, you know, want to do that. But um my understanding is the
people were the person was identified and and and uh and that's where the process lies right now. So we have at least we know where that's where that's going. So we appreciate that. Uh in regards to uh the properties along Peters Brook.
One question before we go. Pioa is the public employee uh occupational health and safety administration. Right. Just wanted to make sure that I'm glad you knew what it stood for. Yeah. cuz we you know we were just uh there were some comments that were addressing the employees that are there and we wanted to make sure that this is
clear that you know some of this there was an individual there was an individual the individual complaint filed sure um that resulted and I joke where because I I honestly I I know what it is but I don't know alphabet soup the alphabet soup
but yeah so so uh yeah so so they they've they're active I mean they've emailed me today as well going over some paperwork from 2022. Just wanted to make sure everybody understood. Thank you. Sorry. Go ahead. Um, in regards to the properties along
Peters Brook, uh, we do currently ask that most of our new developments have enclosures for their garbage. I realize that if theirs have been swept away, has there been any uh, as far as property maintenance goes to ensure that these enclosures are placed back where they belong?
Um, I'm not particularly familiar in this particular case. I'll have to look into it. Council President, if we can if we can just take a look because again I know that's one of the things on the planning board we discuss quite often is making sure that there's enclosures around uh so that it is not an eyesore to the public. Um and just
maybe we can follow up with property maintenance to see because obviously we don't want our Peters uh polluted and I know that there's a few folks that go around town and collect them quite often and we see posts on Facebook with the Rarin but also Petersbrook and the things that are pulled out of there. Um,
and maybe we can work with the environmental commission to, you know, promote, you know, keeping the brook clean and and what that means for, you know, our residents as well. I mean, I know that my children have grown quite fond of fishing Petersburg recently. Uh, so, you know, we encourage them to do
that. Catch and release. Catch and release. But, uh, they enjoy themselves. So, we wanted those are the activities we want to promote on Petersbrook. Um, not tires and baby carriages and things along those lines being thrown in. So, maybe we can, Glenn, maybe we can work with the environmental commission. something out there on their social
media and things along those lines. Keeping the brook clean. Sounds great. All right, I think I addressed everyone's concerns. So, we're going to post a timeline and we'll confirm with uh the properties along the brook to ensure that things are are kept clean.
All right. Uh we have one ordinance for introduction this evening. Uh it is ordinance 2770. It is amending chapter 102 article six entitled permits and enforcement section 28 entitled bu building permits
certificates of occupancy zoning permits and sign permits specifically section B entitled zoning permits subsection A and subsection B to subsection two addressing concern conversions of
a two family or duplex multifamily or professional office in the R1 R2 to PO districts to a single family and conversion of group homes to a single family or a two family dwelling. Uh now
normally with these circumstances we don't ask for public comment on these uh but the mayor has set a precedent this year so we want to make sure we continue that. So does anyone have any question or any comments rather for the introduction of this ordinance? Open it up to the public.
All right. Seeing none, do I have a motion for introduction? So moved. Second. Council members Terresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Ki. Yes. Glenn Deny. Yes. Janice Stravik. Yes. And Roger F.
Yes. Uh, next on the agenda is the ordinance uh for public hearing and adoption. This is ordinance 2769. It is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $2.5 million for
various improvements and purposes for and by the burrow of Somerville in the county of Somerset, New Jersey, and authorizing the issuance of $2,375,000 in bonds or notes of the bureau financing part of the appropriation. Uh,
do I have a motion to open the meeting to the public or open the So moved. Second. Council members Theresa Bonner, yes. Andrew Ki, yes. Glenda, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. And Roger Ver, yes. Open for public comment.
Hearing none. Motion to close. So moved. Second. Council members. Theresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Ki, yes. Lensy, yes. Tina Stravik, yes. Roger Ver, yes. Closed. Motion for approval.
I move to approve. Second council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Ki. Yes. Lendy. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger Verm. Yes. Uh, next we have our consent resolutions. Are there any that council would like to pull?
All right. Hearing none, we'll go through them. Uh number 229 is memorializing resolution 25-0616-165 approving the annual renewal of taxi owner licenses for the year 2526 reflecting a change to a Allstar Sky
View Transportation Incorporated for vehicle to be removed and add new vehicle as stated below. uh number 230 authorizing and directing the planning board of the Burough of Somerville to re-examine the East Central Business District for development plan and to
amend if required to reflect uh current conditions and future needs of the burrow pursuant to NJSA4A 12A-1 etc. Uh 231 supporting the submission of the local arts program grant application
by the downtown Somerville Alliance for creative placemaking funding. 232 amending resolution 25-0721-204 to reflect title change of project to be performed authorizing the award of a nonfair and open contract for TNM
Associates to perform professional services for the pickle ball court improvements located at Henry P. Vandervier Memorial Park located at 122 Veterans Memorial Drive East. 233 awarding a contract to Topline Construction Corp. Alultimont Place
Roadway Improvements and 234 awarding a contract to air systems maintenance for an annual basic plan in the amount of $19,660 for the emergency services facility at 85 North Gaston Avenue. Do I have a motion? So moved.
Second. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Ki. Yes. Glen Deny. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger Verm. Yes. All right. Uh, and as the uh, chair of the finance committee, I make a
motion to pay bills and vouchers in the amount of 10 million499,91146. Second, council members, Terresa Bonner, yes. Andrew Kiy, yes. Lendon, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. Roger Verm, yes. And for those of you wondering why
the number is so large, uh, and I think it probably is one of the larger ones that I've had to throw out here, uh, it is the second quarter. So that is that are all of our payments going out to the various, uh, areas that we collect taxes for because, as we've said before, the
bureau collects the tax and we disseminate that tax through uh, our our partners, which is the school system, the uh, county and the library and open space. And there's a lot of different things that that we that we do with that money. So that's where that 10 million
goes to. Uh do I have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Second. All in favor? All in favor? I I